What to expect in the beginning as an exchange student in germany?
im going on a student excgange to germany and i would like a very detailed description of what it will be like and what to expect from the beginning - language, what it takes to learn it and how fast you will learn it - host family - schooling, please detail - what area is best to stay - what to be careful of etc. thanks in advance.
Other - Germany - 2 Answers
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1 :
Travel and experiencing different cultures is something everyone should do. If you speak German it will be allot easier for you and if not then you must be up to the challenge. I found it fairly easy to learn the language, I took a year of German in school and once in germany I took 2 courses at night school. So learning the language is up to you. My advise is in rome do as the romans and in Germany do as the germans. I think schooling will be a challenge, I do not know about Australian schools but the Germans take education serious, although most classes only go between 800-1400 expect to study allot. If you are not going to college or a University there are 3 types of schools, depending upon which one you are going to. The big cities tend to have more of a crime problem then the smaller ones but there is not allot of crime in Germany, in most places it is safe to walk around at night. Best of luck.
2 :
I'm currently an exchange student from the United States in Germany through YFU (youth for understanding) and it's been a great experience. The first month is a language and orientation course. This helps to learn the language and prevents "culture shock". You'd spend it with other exchange students who speak the same language. If you really want to learn German, then you really have to try, because almost everyone in Germany can speak English, and your classmates will probably be able to speak much better English than you can German because they've been studying it for 7 or so years. But I think just trying helps a lot. Being active and speaking, even if it means messing up is good because no one expects you to be perfect. I've heard of many different experiences with host families. I've had luck and gotten along really well with both of my host families (from my 1 month orientation and my permanate family) But I've also heard of students who didn't get along with their families and had to change. Which really wasn't a big deal. Schooling was more difficult. Do what the Germans do. I'm getting along quite well with my classmates right now because I strive to dress and act similar to them. The most Germans don't like differences. AND DON'T WEAR TENNIS SHOES! Germans think that's the lamest thing ever. They prefer boots or sneakers (such as converse) The teachers help a lot and the first few weeks at a new school are hard, but it gets better quickly. I think staying in a smaller area is better. If you get put in Berlin, I feel sorry for you. All the exchange students I know who've been put in large cities have had more problems than the ones who were put in smaller towns. I'm currently in a small town, which at first disappointed me, but now I love it! What you'll need to be careful of is the bus/train system. I'm not sure where you're from, but in the USA we don't have such a system! And it was really complicated at first! But after a long explaination, I finally understood. And maybe you should try not to fall in love. I don't know how I'm going to leave my boyfriend! He's so cute and German! Oh, and be careful with alcohol! Since the drinking age in Germany is 16, sometimes there are problems with that. But be smart and I don't think anything will happen! Good luck and have fun!!!!
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